E10: The Boa Constrictor

This episode we hear about how the medieval world invested chess with its own social, cultural and spiritual meaning. Sign up for the free newsletter to receive the resources for this episode: https:/...

1 Marras 202119min

This episode is about an eight-year-old boy who was so good at chess that everyone thought he was possessed by the devil. It’s the story of Jose Raul Capablanca. Sign up for the free newsletter to r...

1 Loka 202116min

This episode we hear about fortunes lost and won, and a man playing a game of chess with the threat of execution if he loses. It’s the story of Ossip Berstein. As I announce in this episode, all of t...

1 Syys 202121min

This episode we hear about a mysterious match that took place on the Internet Chess Club. We’re studying the game between Nigel Short (username: Ural; white pieces) and (possibly?) Bobby Fischer. Bef...

1 Elo 202116min

This episode we hear about the man who said that pawns were “the soul of chess.” It’s an episode on Philidor. We’re studying Philidor vs. an unknown player (France, 1790). Before you listen, check ...

3 Heinä 202110min

This episode is about a chess game transformed into fiction. We’re studying Steinitz vs. Chigorin, Havana (1892). Before you listen, check out the full annotation here: https://www.chessgames.com/perl...

31 Touko 202122min

This episode we hear about a young man who in just six months’ time went from losing regularly at his local club to being, some say, the best chess player in his country. It’s the story of Akiba Rubi...

30 Huhti 202118min

This episode we hear about a man with a distinctly psychological approach to the game. It’s the story of Emanuel Lasker. We’re studying Lasker vs Vasja Pirc, Moscow (1935). Before you listen, you ca...

16 Huhti 202114min